London, Oct.12 England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand fears "feeble punishments" for instances of unacceptable crowd behaviour in football may undermine the message that racism has no place in his sport.

According to The Mirror, Ferdinand is unconvinced that governing bodies always come up with suitably stringent sanctions against clubs whose supporters still transgress.

Chairing a debate on the scourge of racism through the ages and the need to ensure it persists no longer, Ferdinand noted regrettable behaviour is not always dealt with properly.

"Then you see feeble punishments handed out. The message to youngsters is that it couldn't have been that bad after all.If you are (disqualified) out of a competition then I think young people get the message that it is harder-hitting," ," he said on MUTV. (ANI)